Jigsaw brings together PSHE Education, emotional literacy, social skills and spiritual development in a comprehensive scheme of learning. Teaching strategies are varied and are mindful of preferred   

learning styles and the need for differentiation. Jigsaw is designed as a whole school approach, with all year groups working on the same theme (Puzzle) at the same time. This enables each Puzzle to start with an introductory assembly, generating a whole school focus for adults and children alike.

There are six Puzzles in Jigsaw that are designed to progress in sequence from September to July:

Each Puzzle has six Pieces (lessons) which work towards an ‘end product’. Each Piece has two Learning Intentions: one is based on specific PSHE learning (covering the non-statutory national framework for PSHE Education but enhanced to address children’s needs today); and one is based on emotional literacy and social skills (covering the SEAL learning intentions but also enhanced). The enhancements mean that Jigsaw is relevant to children living in today’s world as it helps them understand and be equipped to cope with issues like body image, cyber and homophobic bullying, and internet safety.

Each Piece allows the children to:

• Improve their social skills to better enable collaborative learning (Connect us)
• Prepare them for learning (Calm me - Mindfulness)
• Help the brain to focus on specific learning intentions (Open my mind)
•  Initiate new learning (Tell me or show me)
• Facilitate learning activities to reinforce the new learning (Let me learn)
• Support them in reflecting on their learning and personal development (Help me reflect)

The Jigsaw Friends are used in the main as the ‘talking object’ in circle discussions. The children and staff pass the particular Friend for their class around the circle and when holding the Jigsaw Friend it is your turn to talk or to offer a suggestion, experience or feeling relevant to the discussion.